Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica, Central America, Americas

"Be the difference! A great chance to get first hand experience in conservation, at the beautifully diverse Corcovade national park!"

Costa Rica (literally, ‘Rich Coast’) is home to around half a million different species. Sandwiched between the Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean, Costa Rica is famed for its enormous biodiversity and trailblazing eco-friendly policies, making it the perfect location for a conservation project like this one. You’ll live deep in the wilderness of a tropical forest whilst helping to protect a variety of threatened species, from the elusive puma to the tiny turtle. In this multifaceted project, you’ll assess populations of four different species of monkey by carrying out primate surveys in rich forests, survey exotic birds and invertebrates and gather information on nesting Sea Turtles by conducting beach patrols. You’ll also walk the rivers to assist with ground-breaking research on the neotropical otter. Phew! And there’s more…

Five of Costa Rica's six wild cats can be found on the small Osa Peninsula, where the project is based. You might spot jaguars, pumas, jaguarundi, margays and ocelots, although these elegant animals are notoriously elusive and sightings are rare. There is plenty of exciting conservation work to be done on this programme, but in your downtime why not go horseback riding, dolphin and whale-watching, river/ ocean kayaking or white-water rafting? With this project, you’re sure to have a once-in-a-lifetime experience whilst also making a real impact.

This comprehensive and multistranded project is designed to address numerous issues affecting different species and habitats. Volunteers’ work includes collecting important data on primates including the white-faced capuchin monkey, mantled howler monkey, Geoffroy’s spider monkey and the squirrel monkey. Some of the project’s most ground-breaking research is focused on the neotropical otter, for which there is currently insufficient data. This project is providing one of the first year-round studies of the local otter population, which will inform future protection strategies for the species. Volunteers also help to protect endangered marine turtles by participating in beach patrols. Not only does this inform researchers about nesting preferences and population health, but the presence of volunteers also discourages poachers.

One of the most exciting strands of the project is the big cat research element which aims to understand and work towards solutions to human-wildlife conflicts currently threatening big cats’ survival. Jaguars, for instance, are heavily threatened by humans who want to protect their livestock or retaliate against the animals for damaging their livelihoods. The project conducts interviews with local people to try and understand the relationships between people and big cats, with the hope of finding solutions that benefit local people as well as allowing for the ‘sustainable maintenance of predators and prey’ in the area.